“Biden’s trip is the latest episode in a bout of rampant vacationing by the First and Second Families, who have been roaring out of Washington this year on taxpayer-funded excursions even as the deficit mounts and the sequester axes jobs,” Ken Koffler writes in the White House Dossier, a partisan watchdog.

The president and Mr, Biden do pay for some costs associated with their travel. But “the bulk of the costs, including flights aboard Air Force One and Air Force Two and security and staff needs, are billed to taxpayers,” Mr. Koffler added.

Supporters note that the president and vice president can’t simply hop in the car for a quick getaway weekend, pointing out the security entourage and transport requirements comes with their positions - much like former President George W. Bush during his frequent trips to his Texas ranch.

About the Author

Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.